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By Sam Hosler
Mayor, Town of Kearny
A column I wrote to run in last week’s Copper Basin News could not be printed owing to lack of space. The gist of the article is that the water filtration plant is now up and running, something it has not done reliably for several years. When the plant was built it was not properly engineered to allow for pressure surges from the well at the elevation of the river and from the water tanks at a higher elevation. The result was “water hammering,” which tore apart the pipe mounts in the filtering unit. This is the problem we have now fixed.
That is good news, but I tell you honestly that our water problems are not solved. Our water and sewer lines are old and weakening. The Kearny River Fire put a lot of stress as the fire hydrants received such heavy use and leaks have been springing up almost daily in the water lines around town. Each time a repair is made, old sediments are loosened and carried through the pipes into our homes.
The Town Council has, for the last few months, worked with NCS Engineering on proposals for redoing the water tanks and providing a better pumping system for the homes across the highway from uptown. A grants ( or grants) will be sought to accomplish this. We expect to hear soon from Arizona’s Department of Housing about our grant to replace some of our fire hydrants and also to begin our ten-year plan for the Town of Kearny (a plan which is a requirement for most of the grants we seek).
With all these repairs, our Public Works Department is short-handed. They have been called out, day and night, to repair the leaking water lines in addition to their usual scheduled work. I commend them for their willingness to work and their loyalty to the residents of Kearny.
In another direction, Sergeant Dave Blue and the Kearny Police Department are holding a public informational session at Constitution Hall (just past the Town Hall) called “For a Common Cause,” about transparency and openness in government and in the conduct of public business. It will take place on Wednesday, August 12, at 6 p.m. and I hope you will be there.
Finally, the Kearny Town Council will hold its regular meeting on Monday, August 17, at 7:30 p.m. Again, I hope to see you there.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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